Feeling disappointed.
For context, I (42f) had two discectomy/laminectomy surgeries, a L4-S1 spinal fusion, and both SI joints fused between 2019-2021. After surgery I have battled chronic low back pain and many flare ups of hip bursitis on both sides. The disc above my fusion is also mostly gone (about 30% left at this point). I gained about 55lbs during my recovery periods (since I had 5 surgeries in 3 years and I was previously a gym rat who focused on strength training and was eating the calories but not working out anymore). I consequently had VSG (weight loss surgery) since they attributed the continued pain to the weight gain. Well, losing the weight and increasing core muscles did not help the bursitis or the pain. It’s actually about the same. Since I had VSG, I can no longer take NSAIDs and I don’t take other pain meds. Before I was taking 1600 milligrams of ibuprofen a day plus a muscle relaxer. It feels hopeless when I think this might be the rest of my life. Is there anything left besides trying new medication that could help me at this point?